The matter was quickly reported to the county commandant and county magistrate of Bilan City, both of whom were left dumbfounded.
The county commandant felt a headache coming on. “What does the Jinyang Army mean by this? Do they intend to take our people away?”
Ever since the Jinyang Army had arrived, there had not been a moment of peace. He felt that the hair on his already balding head had grown even thinner.
The county magistrate was equally troubled. “Take them where? Fengzhou?”
The two exchanged looks and said almost in unison, “Impossible!”
Fengzhou lay in the north. Winter would arrive soon, and these people would not be able to accomplish anything there. Surely the Jinyang Army did not intend to support them for nothing?
Besides, although the epidemic among the refugees was now under control, many had yet to recover and remained contagious.
If the Jinyang Army took all these people to Fengzhou, would that not throw the entire region into chaos?
No matter how effective Fengzhou’s plague medicine was, it could not possibly invite such trouble upon itself.
There were simply too many refugees. Bilan County alone had seven or eighty thousand people.
Indeed, ever since disaster relief had begun in Bilan County, more and more people had arrived from all over the region, practically encircling the county seat.
The two officials did not have the Jinyang Army’s precise statistics, but they could estimate the numbers at a glance.
That was why they found it impossible.
“So what exactly is Princess Jinyang’s purpose?” The county commandant felt an even worse headache coming on.
He had discovered that he could not predict Princess Jinyang’s next move at all. Everything she did was unexpected.
When the disaster relief had first begun, he had assumed that the Jinyang Army was merely putting on a show. Instead, they had truly provided grain and medicine, sincerely saving lives without the slightest pretense.
Nearly ten days had passed. Every day, without fail, they distributed porridge twice. Just thinking about the amount of grain involved made his heart tremble.
Medicinal herbs arrived cartload after cartload, and the epidemic was brought under effective control. Although not everyone survived, the mortality rate among those who received treatment was remarkably low.
Now, just when he thought Princess Jinyang had finished with the relief efforts and might be preparing to withdraw, the Jinyang Army had begun recruiting workers.
They called it recruitment, but who knew where the Jinyang Army intended to take the people?
Most likely, once these people left, they would never return. Would that not turn Bilan County into an empty county?
The county magistrate also felt his vision swimming. If all the people of Bilan truly left, what use would there be for him as county magistrate?
“Does Fengzhou really have that much grain?” he murmured.
Rubbing his temples, the county commandant said, “Why don’t we go and speak with the Jinyang Army? We can find out exactly what they intend to do.”
The county magistrate hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Let’s go meet them.”
The two hurried out of the county office, mounted their horses, and led their men toward the outskirts of the city.
The recruitment drive outside the city was in full swing. This time, the soldiers were recording every detail, clearly registering both the workers and the family members who intended to accompany them.
Some families were delighted, while others were filled with despair. Groups from households without anyone of suitable working age gathered their courage and came to plead on their knees.
An old woman sobbed as she begged, “Sir, I—I only have myself and my nine-year-old grandson at home.”
“This old woman can work. I’m no worse than those young people. Please take me on. I don’t need one hundred and eighty copper coins. Half that will do. Please, sir!”
Before the Jinyang Army soldier could respond, a boy of twelve or thirteen hurriedly pleaded, “I can work too! There’s only my younger sister and me left in my family. Please take us on. I’ll only ask for half the wages too. All I want is enough food to eat!”
The others began pleading as well.
Amid the clamor of desperate voices, the soldier could not find a chance to speak. In the end, he shouted, “Enough!”
Everyone fell silent and stared at him nervously.
The soldier sighed. “Get up, all of you. We in the Jinyang Army don’t make a habit of kneeling at every turn.”
The people exchanged glances. They did not dare disobey and could only rise to their feet.
Only then was the soldier satisfied. “The Jinyang Army is also hiring for other kinds of work, such as sweeping floors and helping wash vegetables in the kitchens.”
“These jobs are relatively easy, but the wages are lower. If you’re willing to do them, form an orderly line over here, and we’ll register you.”
The people were stunned for a moment before bursting into delight.
“That’s wonderful! Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!”
“What are you doing?”
A furious shout cut through their joy.
When they turned around, they saw the county magistrate and county commandant glaring at them with dark expressions.
The people were startled. But then they remembered the government’s recent actions. They quickly suppressed their old fear of officialdom, and not one of them stepped back.
“What is it? Is there a problem?” Gao Zheng slowly walked over.
He had once been an officer in the Great Qing Commandery’s navy. After Lu You surrendered, he had naturally joined the Jinyang Army’s naval forces.
He had experience leading troops and fighting battles, and had since risen to the position of regiment commander. For the time being, he was in charge of matters in Bilan County.
The county magistrate let out a cold laugh. “Is there a problem? These are our people. What right do you have to take them away to work for you?”
Gao Zheng smiled. “They’re only going to work. Why are you making such a fuss?”
The county magistrate was practically furious enough to explode. “Then where are you taking our people to work? Don’t tell me it’s Fengzhou?”
Gao Zheng smiled openly. “Of course not. We intend to take them to Keyuan Island to help us develop it.”
There was no reason to conceal the matter, nor could it be concealed. With so many people being taken away, Qi Pingwei’s troops would certainly accompany the ships.
“What?” the county magistrate cried out.
“Keyuan Island?” The county commandant was equally shocked. “Why do you intend to develop Keyuan Island?”
Gao Zheng gave him a strange look. “Naturally, because Keyuan Island belongs to the Jinyang Army.”
“You’re talking nonsense! How could Keyuan Island possibly belong to the Jinyang Army?” The county commandant’s face flushed with anger.
Although they had never stationed troops on Keyuan Island, the Yan Kingdom had always tacitly regarded it as part of its territory. It naturally belonged to His Majesty now.
“Haha, who’s talking nonsense?”
A hearty laugh rang out. It was none other than Xie Nanxiao.
After arranging the disaster relief efforts in the various counties, he had led a squad of Cangming Guards on patrol. As luck would have it, he had arrived in Bilan County.
The county commandant glared at him furiously. “Your Jinyang Army is shameless! Since when has Keyuan Island belonged to you? It clearly belongs to the Yan Kingdom—to His Majesty!”
Xie Nanxiao dismounted, his tone unhurried. “As far as I know, Keyuan Island does not appear on the Yan Kingdom’s maps.”
“Furthermore…” A trace of mockery flashed through his eyes. “Ying Commandery, the territory nearest to Keyuan Island, has already been taken by the Jiao Army, hasn’t it?”
The corners of his lips lifted. “You can’t even defend the territory shown on your maps, yet you want to lay claim to land beyond them?”
“You!” Those cutting words nearly made the county commandant spit blood, yet he did not know how to refute them. Ying Commandery had indeed already fallen to the Jiao Army.
Xie Nanxiao let out a cold laugh. “Don’t forget—the Jiao Army has a navy. After taking Ying Commandery, the Jiao naval forces will certainly be stationed at its harbor next.”
“If Keyuan Island belongs to the First Prince, I’m afraid it will be surrendering without a fight next.”
His expression was proud, and his voice rang out with force.
“My liege is nothing like the First Prince. She has continually reclaimed the nation’s territory from the barbarian tribes and has never lost a single inch of Han land!”
